Karen Black Cancer Fundraiser Has Almost Reached $22,000 Goal After 10 Days

By Staff Writer | March 26, 2013 12:20 AM EDT

Actress Karen Black has been battling with cancer for two years and unless a new experimental treatment works, she will likely die soon.

On March 14 she, with the help of her husband Stephen Eckelberry, launched the 'Help Karen Beat Cancer' webpage on the GoFundMe site. Less than two weeks later and they have almost reached their goal of $22,000.

Karen Black was diagnosed with ampullary cancer back in November 2010. Since then she was in remission, but the cancer returned and since then she has dropped to a frail 95lbs and is mostly bed-ridden.

The money being raised is for her to try an experimental cancer treatment in Europe.

"Karen has been confronting the fact that she would die soon if she didn't do something," her husband said.

Many people have wondered why the Karen Black needs to raise money at all.

Eckelberry says that they couple has gone through all their savings in the cancer-fighting process.

"Yes, she was an actress in movies, but most of the high-paying work dwindled out many years ago. She has a modest pension and medical insurance (thank goodness), but as anyone knows who has fought cancer, that is not enough."

He said the reason for the fundraiser is because the insurance company will not pay for treatment in Europe, and it is, they believe Karen's only hope of survival.